DOCUMENTARY FOCUS
THEY are the everyday heroes who save lives at sea in between having a full-time job. Now volunteer RNLI crews around Wales are set to appear in a BBC documentary following rescues at sea.
Here are a few of the stories of the people behind the camera ... CHRIS PAGE, 37, PORTHCAWL RNLI
Chris, from Porthcawl, works at his family business, Page’s DIY, in Port Talbot.
He joined the RNLI station at Porthcawl in 2004 after being involved with lifeguards on the beach since he was 10 years old.
He said one incident that sticks in his memory from 13 years in the job was an incident on New Year’s Eve in 2016, when a boat ran aground on rocks at Sker Point. Crews had to search in the dark for two people who were on board.
Chris said: “It was at night, about 7pm, and it was dark. We had a mayday call from a boat that had run aground. The conditions were pitch black, quite misty, cold and there was quite a big swell as well.
“Sker Point is a notorious area. Going to an incident where you know people were on the rocks and taking on water, we knew we had to get to them as soon as possible.
“As we were approaching we couldn’t make contact with them so we didn’t know what the situation was.”
Chris and fellow crew mate Dan Jones had to leave their boat, Rose of the Shires, and scramble through the water to find the two injured passengers.
Both casualties, one with a head injury, were flown to hospital by a search and rescue helicopter.
But Chris said it is the thrill of incidents like these which keep the job exciting.
He said: “Being a member of the team there’s a lot of banter but also it’s good fun going out with them.
“You get a lot of satisfaction helping others when they’re most in need.” DENWYN PARRY, 50, ANGLESEY RNLI
Denwyn joined the RNLI crew at Moelfre, Anglesey, 18 years ago after a lifelong fascination with the sea.
She said: “I had had a little rowing boat since I was five or six, as we lived near the beach.
“Eighteen years ago women were very short on the crew – I was the only female crew member. Now, at our station, there’s two females.
“Obviously with a lot of things, it’s hard work with the ropes, but I’ve never had a problem – it’s teamwork.
“Plus having a female means I can get into small spaces.”